Giggle Your Way Into The Weekend

It’s not the clearest recording I’ve seen of this, but I think it has the best comic timing.

I hope you find it as amusing as I did - Enjoy!

Behind The Eight Ball

I probably shouldn’t be surprised that a week that began with my first-ever earthquake just ran away with me, but that’s what happened. (I do realize that those of you who live in California and such-like parts are yawning at me, but around here, noticeable shudderings of the very soil on which you stand are rare.) It was an odd, unsettling experience that segued right into a string of other odd, unsettling experiences.

My brand-spanky-new water pump decided to celebrate it’s one-week anniversary by dying - which it did overnight so as to really catch me by off-guard. (Because 5:00 a.m. isn’t hard enough to deal with without crises…)

Then I got a phone call from the contact-tracer at work: “X didn’t think her time with you had amounted to 15 minutes but I want to be sure that you agree with that…” Fortunately, I did. We’d been in the same room for longer, but had performed the close-contact dance, so all was well. I won’t try to kid you that my heart didn’t spend some time in my throat, however…

Happily, all this stress coincided with my annual deep-cleaning frenzy, so I’ve vented my frustrations by manhandling much within my home. I’ve scrubbed walls, floors, and ceilings, ripped up ancient carpets and padding, set fire to my credit card with a flurry of replacement purchases, shifted heavy furniture hither and yon, vacuumed heating ducts, - and in my spare time, braided a throw rug, because I couldn’t find what I wanted for one room. (Braiding done, still sewing…)

I’m not quite done with the cleaning yet, nor is the water situation completely resolved, but things are starting to settle down… and look up. I had a lovely Face Time movie viewing with a favorite niece, I found a chicken pot pie recipe to die for (well, actually, I hacked two together but boy howdy, was it good!), I now have sensible-but-festive Thanksgiving plans, my new dragon is on its way, and Best of All, I got to talk to SP last night! As he and I are rarely on the same continent anymore, that was a lovely and unexpected treat, so I happily braved sleep deprivation All For Him. He may not be the one I call my beau any longer, but he is still dearer to me than ‘most anyone else on the planet and I always feel much better after time spent in contact with him. Beautifully timed, my love - thank you.

So in celebration of the turning tide (AND the close contact dance!), let’s see in the weekend on a celebratory note. (Of a better sort than the one my pump chose.)

Let’s get out there and have just as much fun as these two are! 

BookMan Picks the Dance

BookMan sent me this suggestion for a Friday Night Dance, with the disclaimer that it’s not his favorite style of dancing - “there’s a bit too much writhing” - but that the music was good and the dancers incredible.

To paraphrase Charlotte Lucas, I find that I can bear the writhing very cheerfully … 

     and I think it’s a gorgeous piece.

Hopefully you do, too.

FNDP - Polynesian Style

Summer is here and it’s time to have fun!

So for tonight’s dance party, we have a romp of Polynesian fusion with dancers from across the Pacific Islands (Tahiti, French Polynesia, Cook Islands, Samoa, New Zealand, Hawaii, Australia & more!) and music by one of my current favorites, Te Vaka.

If this doesn’t bring a smile to your face, then I just plain don’t know what to tell you…

Now get out there and have yourself a weekend, by golly!

Friday Night Dance Party - Easter Version

I think two days before Easter is a good time to learn The Bunny Hop, don’t you?

I like this performance of it - it’s authentic, shows the variations beyond simply dancing in a line, and there are no unfortunate bunny ears or painted noses in sight.

I’m also very amused by the moment at about 2:00, when one of the guys just drops his partner on the floor and keeps dancing, leaving her to worry about getting up herself. 

Apparently chivalry began its decline many, many years ago!

It's Friday - Let's Dance!

Looking at my calendar back in early February, I knew that March was going to be a hectic month…  and then they tossed in Covid-19.

So hectic has turned to chaotic AND apocalyptic.
Work is a nightmare and I haven’t truly relaxed in weeks.

But life goes on, right? I have a roadtrip ahead of me, a family wedding to attend, and while I’m away, I’m having lunch with my college bestie, who I haven’t seen in googobs.

So despite the fact that my family’s happiness is about to put me in the poorhouse, I am reminded that life may be messy, but it’s also full of joy - and to help us remember that, tonight we’ll be dancing in the rain, courtesy of Mira Nair and “Monsoon Wedding” 

(If you haven't seen this film, go find it immediately!)

Holiday Dance Party!

It's possible that I’m the last person on the planet to have seen this but just in case there's another cultural straggler out there, here’s a special Friday Night Holiday Dance for you.

(The scene with Chevy Chase is pretty much just like watching my brother do his lights.)

The Tech Dance

So, my dom has been keeping me up late lately.

Sounds exhilarating, doesn't it?

Sadly, it's not, At least not in the "Hey! kinky hi-jinx goin' on!" kinda way. It's more that he's upgrading his computer and keeps peppering me with late-night questions.

Now obviously, I don’t really mind. Kink-jinx or not, I do find it exhilarating to be able to help him and I also love the fact that our power exchange does not warp his common sense. He may be able to code-monkey circles around me but when it comes to making upgrades play nice, my expertise outstrips his - and he's willing to recognize that and utilize my knowledge. It’s a small thing, but it makes me happy.

Nonetheless, there are still Y chromosomes at play here, so it's not an entirely smooth process. In this case, however the hiccups are not triggered by any posturing but rather, by his secret longing to buy some expensive new tech toy to play with. Naturally, he won't come out and tell me that, however. Instead, he tries to lead me around to a point where I'll suggest that he should buy said new toy. (Altho' he always goes ahead and does just that anyhow, so I'm not sure what the point is... except maybe the fun of manipulation?)

This seemingly-unfocused procession made me nuts the first time or two but once I figured out what was going on, it became part of the dance. His hints get broader and broader and I act more and more obtuse. We each know what the other is doing, of course, but we both enjoy the verbal tango, so it all works out.

However, I think that next time, I may change my strategy.

I'll suggest the new toy right at the beginning... which will make him happy.

And then I'll claim all the credit. 

          Persistently.

          For years to come.

After all, when doing the tech dance, you have to keep on your toes, right?

An Eight From The Soviet Judge

Or maybe not…

But this dancing really is just about perfect.

Strange Song...

but great dancing!

(Anyone else get an earworm from this…?)

That King Can Dance

More Musicals!

(I particularly like the moment around 3:57, when he pretty much sends her airborne...)

Face the Music and...

I figure if September is Music Month, then the September Friday Night Dance Parties should feature… Musicals! (Any excuse for more Friday Night Dances. :-D)

We’re starting off by Following the Fleet.

This is actually a special request from BookMan, who is not only a book guy, thesaurus, Strunk & White, and poet extraordinaire all rolled into one, but he’s also deeply interested in movies and theater.

BookMan feels that “this is one of the great Astaire and Rogers numbers--performed by Rogers in a dress that she said weighed thirty-five pounds. Not only is the dancing terrific, but once they get past the intro dialog, the whole thing is one shot. No editing, no cutting, no close-ups, just mid-distance full-body shots.  Screw cinema--let's dance!”  

(That dress gives me total "swoosh" envy, can I just mention?)

Fight the Frenzy!

After a very crazy, hectic couple of weeks, I’m about to sneak off for a get-away weekend, before the worst of the madness commences for real next week.

The problem is that, before I can relax, I have to drive in traffic. 

Touristy beach traffic.

Touristy beach traffic going into the last week of summer vacation.

Touristy beach traffic going into the last week of summer vacation that causes every other driver on the road to flaunt their testosterone through speed.

Seriously, last night coming home, I quite literally was shouting at the idiot next to me, “I do not CARE how big your penis is, I just want to get into this lane, please!” (My windows were, of course, rolled down as I shouted - I am not that foolhardy!)

Anyhow, in hopes of calming us all down, this Friday Night Dance Party has Rachel Brice once again demonstrating that slower can be far, far more impressive.

Watch, enjoy, and for goodness’ sake, be careful out there!

(And don't miss the jaw-dropper at 2:53!)

Friday Night On The Lawn!

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

A Quick Pow Wow Primer

The first pow wow I ever attended found me wandering around, impressed as all get-out by the amazing dancing, but really wishing I could find a guide to the dances, be it helpful person or simple brochure. I enjoyed everything, but I would have liked it even better if I'd had a better idea of what the judges were looking for in each category.

July brings us back into Pow Wow season, so for tonight’s Friday Night Dance Party, I'm happy to provide you with the basic information I wish someone could have given me. 

Now get out there and enjoy!

Celebratory Toe-Tapping

So, the renovation has finally reached the point where I have a brand, spanky-new subfloor…

        and now I kind of just want to do this all the time:

“Tile? Who needs tile?”

Friday Night Fusion Raga

I could seriously keep this on loop for hours. 

I see something new each and every time I watch it.

**many heart-eyed emojis**

Theme Reveal Dance Party!

Yes, I’m mad enough that I’ll be doing the April A to Z Challenge again this year.

(Did somebody say, “masochist”?)

I thought of a theme that I figured would be fun to play with, got all excited by it, and then ran smack into a brick wall trying to describe it.

I told SP it was going to be an A-Z Bucket List - and he practically spat at me. 

He hates the term bucket list, says that to his mind, bucket lists make a persons life too goal-driven, that they keep us focused on the future and not appreciating the blessings in our lives. And, well, I may not fully subscribe to that viewpoint, but I definitely see his point.

So I thought some more.

I got briefly excited when my mind lit on “desiderata” - things desired, right?

But in many listed definitions, the word “essential” can be found. Which adds an overtone of need to your desires, and leads right back to that point that SP was making.

Okay then, how about, “wish list”? That’s softer and less driven… except there are also a number of items on the list that are nothing but pure, unadulterated fantasy. (Unless I were to “W - Win the lottery’ - which is itself a fantasy… ooh! a nested “if”!) Meaning they are not really feasible wishes. Nor is the term strictly accurate, because a couple of the wishes are better described as Aspirations.

*sigh*

It’s just not easy, is it?

However, there IS a theme, and I really do need to call it something…

So, coming soon, to a blog near you…  Jz’s Perfect World - From A to Z

And while we’re talking about that perfect world… how about a weekly dance party with these guys?

(The first time I saw men hula dancing when I was a kid, I giggled.

"Giggling" is no longer the approriate word for my response.)

Friday Night Fan Club?

I have been reading “Dreaming Spies” by Laurie R. King, in which Holmes and Russell go to Japan during the early 1920’s. The book has immersed me in a soothing world of verdant rice fields and tranquil wooded spas (as well as ninjas and intrigue!), so I was inspired to find a traditional Japanese dance to share with you tonight. 

Unhappily, most of the traditional dances that I found on youtube did not have the graceful, lyrical feel that I was looking for. Many had beautiful, fluid dancers, but filmed on home-use devices that produced unbalanced audio - creating a somewhat strident tone that completely overwhelmed the serene beauty of the performance. I found a lot of superb modern fusion dances, and a wonderful Awa dance being performed in a street parade, but nothing in the mood I wanted. I was beginning to despair. 

And then I came across this little gem and peace returned to my heart.

(As I hope it will to yours.)

Also, I know it’s early, but today marks Day One of Question and Answer March, where readers ask the questions and bloggers provide the answers. So...

February Fragment Friday Night Dance Party!!

I wanted to start off February Fragments with something fun, so tonight we’re taking the Friday Night Dance Party to Greece for a little hasapiko. (Or maybe it’s Melbourne… or Astoria… wherever we are, those are Greek guys dancing, by gum!) 

I know there's a whole, “That’s Greek. No, it’s Turkish!” debate about this dance but I'm not interested in controversy. This is a dance with roots in the Byzantine Empire and shoots that spread far and wide. It’s a shared culture, so share the dance!

I do have to admit, however, that in my mind, it's always performed by Greeks..., because I used to have a Greek beau who expressed joy through the dance. We’d go to a Greek Festival - he’d do the hasapiko. We’d go out to dinner - he’d do the hasapiko. We’d be hanging out in his living room - he’d do the hasapiko. About the only time I didn’t see him do the hasapiko was when I took him to hear the sounds of my people, at the Finnish Festival. There, he just looked around and said there were too many blondes, it made him uncomfortable… (*eyeroll*)

Still, in the big picture, the hasapiko reminds me of good times.  

So, enjoy! (And get ready for a month of fragments!)